How to Become a Guidance Counselor in New Jersey

Guidance counselors help prepare students for the next stage of their lives.

Guidance counselors typically work in schools with students at a middle school or high school level to help them schedule their classes and plan ahead for college or various career paths. A guidance counselor also acts as a confidante for students and may be approached to discuss issues such as drug use, eating disorders, or physical abuse. The requirements for becoming a guidance counselor can vary slightly from state to state. Becoming a guidance counselor in New Jersey requires a lot of education and hard work.

Instructions

1. Earn a bachelor's degree. There is no specific degree available for guidance counseling positions, but many people who pursue the profession get degrees in Education or Psychology.

2. Get a master's degree in School Counseling. Before going to graduate school, verify that the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

3. Attain either 4,500 supervised work hours or 3,000 supervised hours with 30 graduate semester hours pertaining to counseling work.

4. Pass the National Counselor Examination, which is required to be certified in New Jersey.

5. Apply for a guidance counselor license in the state of New Jersey. An application is below in Resources.

6. Apply for a job with a hiring school district once you have your license. You can look at trade papers or contact school districts directly to find out what positions are open.

References

• Degree Directory: Elementary Guidance Counselor: Become an Elementary School Guidance Counselor in 5 Steps
• School-Counselor: How to Become a New Jersey School Counselor
• Education Portal: How to Become a High School Guidance Counselor

Resources

• State of New Jersey: Chapter 9- Professional Licensure and Standards
• New Jersey Application for Licensure for Professional Counselor
• National Board for Certified Counselors